Georges St-Pierre makes his hugely anticipated return to action on Saturday at UFC 217 after a four year hiatus from the sport.

The 36-year-old future hall of famer tops the bill as he faces the UK’s Michael Bisping for the middleweight championship at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden Arena.

GSP is a MMA superstar and the most decorated welterweight champion in UFC history, winning the belt twice and defending it nine times, but the 36-year-old Canadian has chosen to step up to the middleweight division on his comeback.

Fighting at 185lbs is certainly a bold move for GSP, but it does give Bisping what should be the most lucrative fight of his career.

Georges St-Pierre returns to the Octagon after a four-year absence (Image: Zuffa LLC)

But GSP isn’t the only legendary name in MMA to return for UFC 217 as we bring back The Writer vs. The Fighter, bigger and better than before, because this time we are inviting you, the fan, to get involved and take on your favourite UFC stars in our prediction head to head.

For the first instalment of The Writer vs The Fighter vs The Fan, Gary Sommerville from New Stevenston, North Lanarkshire , makes his predictions alongside Tom Heffernan and Liverpool’s UFC star Darren Till, who scored the biggest victory of his career when he stopped the number six ranked welterweight, Donald Cerrone, in Poland just a few weeks ago.

Middleweight championship: Michael Bisping ( c ) vs. GSP

Michael Bisping is our pundits' pick (Image: Zuffa LLC)

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Darren: I think GSP will put lots of pressure on Bisping in the first round. He’ll look to try and smother Bisping. We all know GSP’s qualities, he gets guys down onto the floor and tires them out, which he has had a lot of success with in the welterweight division. He is stepping up a weight class to middleweight though and Bisping is very fit and strong – GSP might get the takedown but I think Bisping will get to his feet. Bisping has great stamina levels and very good Octagon control and I can’t see him losing this fight. Bipsing to win with a third round knockout, via a knee.

Tom: First off, it’s good to see GSP back for another crack at MMA and I take my hat off him for stepping up to middleweight and taking a title fight after such a long lay-off. GSP’s forte is his Olympic class wrestling, but Bisping has outstanding takedown defence, a size advantage, better striking and good BJJ, so it’s hard see where GSP can out manoeuvre the current champ. But if GSP can take Mike down and keep him there then he can edge out a decision win.

(Image: Zuffa LLC)

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If not, then I think Bisping will light him up on the feet. But with 22 decisions victories between this pair I hope this doesn’t prove to be a damp squib. That said, Bisping is certainly doing his part to sell the fight as he has been giving GSP pelters since the bout was announced. Bisping to win via TKO in round two.

Gary: I think this will be a question of can GSP get Bisping down and keep him there. Personally, I don't think so, plus GSP could struggle with the extra weight gained too. As for Bisping, he is a cardio machine and I see him winning via unanimous decision after a million failed take down attempts from Georges – who is going to realise his anti-fighting style doesn't work anymore.

Bantamweight championship: Cody Garbrandt ( c ) vs. T.J. Dillashaw

Cody Garbrandt is back in action (Image: Zuffa LLC)

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Darren: One thing for sure is this bout between Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw is going to have lots of anger. The first round is going to be wild! I think Garbrandt will take the first two rounds and he’ll get a takedown. I feel like Dillashaw will find his momentum in the third round though and I can see him taking the fight on points.

Tom: This one is a good old fashioned grudge match and I love it. These two know each other inside out so it just depends on who has evolved the most since they split teams. Garbrandt was on another level when he took the belt from Cruz and if he can produce a performance close to that again then I think he will defend his belt, but he needs to make sure he doesn’t get too emotionally invested. But I just think that T.J has a look about him going into this fight, like he knows Cody’s Achilles heel. I think T.J. weathers the storm and gets this to the canvas for some ground and pound. I choose T.J via submission in the fourth round.

Gary: I really hope Cody wins via KO in the 1st 10 seconds as I agree with Conor that T.J. is a snake, however both these guys are pretty elusive and very technical. I think the main difference between the two is Cody’s power. I'm hoping for the finish but I'll go with Cody to win via a split decision, which would set up a rematch.

Strawweight championship: Joanna Jedrzejczyk( c ) vs. Rose Namajunas

Joanna Champion is back in action (Image: Getty)

Darren: What a fight this will be. Joanne will come out very strong in the first two rounds and I think she could really hurt Namajunas early on. This bout will have loads of striking and both fighters should come out and try to be aggressive. I don’t know why but I have a feeling that Namajunas is going to win this in the third round by submitting Joanna with a rear naked choke.

Tom: I think this is a more interesting challenge for Joanna than folk may think. Joanna is one of the best strikers on the UFC’s roster, but surprisingly she has only stopped two opponents inside the Octagon - so is there a lack of power behind those knuckles? Rose has never been knocked out so that would suggest a solid chin, but more importantly, she is a wizard on the ground. So if Rose can get past Joanna’s take down defence and get this fight to the canvas early it will be very interesting indeed. If she can’t, then I think Joanna will keep her adopted middle name of ‘Champion’ and win via another unanimous decision.

Gary: Joanna is too fast and too strong for Rose, I really don't see anything other than a finish for Joanna via strikes so I'll go for a TKO stoppage in round two.

Welterweight: Stephen Thompson vs. Jorge Masvidal

(Image: Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Darren: This is a really simple call for me. I think Wonderboy will go out there and put on a striking clinic, he’s one of the best out there. I’m not sure which round it will be, but I see Thompson finishing this fight by knockout.

Tom: I think this will be a fairly comfortable win for Wonderboy. Just like Gary suggests, Jorge is a very tough guy and one KO loss in 44 fights backs that up. However, Thompson is in the elite bracket and I feel his unbelievable striking prowess will overwhelm Jorge and we will see a KO victory for Thompson in the second round.

Gary: Jorge is a real tough fighter with solid skills but Wonderboy is probably the most technically gifted stand up fighter in the division. I think we get a lesson in point fighting from Wonderboy and he takes it on unanimous decision thanks to his hit and run style. Also, wouldn't it be amazing seeing Wonder Boy fight Darren Till next.

Darren: Bisping, Dillashaw, Namajunas

Tom: Bisping, Dillashaw, Jedrzejczyk

Gary: Bisping, Gardbrant, Jedrzejczyk

To be in with a chance of taking part please email with the subject Writer vs. Fighter leaving your full name and contact phone number to sport@dailyrecord.co.uk

Watch UFC 217: Bisping vs. GSP live on BT Sport 2 from midnight GMT on Saturday, November 4, or catch the Early Prelims exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from 10:30pm GMT